G.

Leng, ME Dept, NUS

When exact natural modes and frequencies are modes

are difficult to find ...

7 Assumed Modes Summation

3. natural ie

2. geometric ie

G. Leng, ME Dept, NUS

1. linearly independent ie

Notes

A set of linearly independent functions i that satisfy the

geometric boundary conditions but not necessarily the natural
boundary conditions of the system.

7.1 What are assumed modes ?

L
x=L =

G. Leng, ME Dept, NUS

Question : Can you suggest a function (x) that satisfies these

boundary conditions ?

Boundary conditions : u |x = 0 = 0 and u/x |

u(x,t)

Example : Assumed modes for a bar

G. Leng, ME Dept, NUS

Whats the next possible guess ?

Will this work ?

First guess try (x) = x.

G. Leng, ME Dept, NUS

Question : Can you find a higher order assumed mode ?

G. Leng, ME Dept, NUS

Homework : Prove this and compare with the exact modes !

A possible set of assumed modes would be

Question : Can you guess the general form for the assumed modes ?

G. Leng, ME Dept, NUS

What is a possible assumed mode ?

Geometric boundary conditions : V(L) = 0 and V(-L) = 0

Example : Assumed modes for a simply supported beam

y
x=L
x = -L
x

G. Leng, ME Dept, NUS

How do these assumed modes compare with the first two modes
from the exact solution ?

Can you find a higher order mode ?

G. Leng, ME Dept, NUS

1/2 A (u/t)2 dx

1/2 EA (u/x)2 dx

For a bar, the elastic strain energy and kinetic energy are
given by :

Assumed modes can be used to form a MDOF approximate for

the continuous system eg :

7.2 Approximation of continuous systems via assumed modes

=
=

Kij

where qT

1/2

G. Leng, ME Dept, NUS

i =1

(x) q (t)

EA (x) (x) dx

{q1, ..., qN }

The elastic strain energy then :

Using N assumed modes, we let u(x,t)

i=N

Mij

where qT

1/2

G. Leng, ME Dept, NUS

A (x) (x) dx

{q1, ..., qN}

Similarly the kinetic energy is :

=
0

Qi(t) =

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p(x,t) (x) dx

So the generalized force QT = { Q1, ..., QN} is :

Using N assumed modes, u(x,t)

Finally if the external axial force per unit length is p(x,t), then the
virtual work done by this loading is :

Kq

G. Leng, ME Dept, NUS

Question : How good is this approximation ?

M q

Therefore by Lagranges formulation, the N DOF approximation

for the bar is :

G. Leng, ME Dept, NUS

2(x) = (x/L)2 (x/L 2 )2

1(x) = x/L (x/L 2 )

2. Assumed modes, 2 DOF approximation

1. Boundary conditions : u |x = 0 = 0 and u/x |

u(x,t)

x=L =

Example : MDOF approximation for a uniform bar

Mij

=
0

G. Leng, ME Dept, NUS

A (x) (x) dx

The mass matrix is given by :

Kij

=
i

G. Leng, ME Dept, NUS

EA (x) (x) dx

The stiffness matrix is given by :

G. Leng, ME Dept, NUS

Compare with the exact first two natural frequencies :

3.7 /(2L) (E/)1/2 and 11.8 / (2L) (E/)1/2

Hence the approximated first two frequencies are